Browns should take corner Greg Newsome out of the slot

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome had a strong rookie campaign but after moving into the slot this season it has come with mixed results.

Fans had questions after the Cleveland Browns took Martin Emerson with their first pick in April’s draft until they traded slot corner Troy Hill back to the Rams. But that created a need for a nickel corner and the Browns decided to convert second-year player Greg Newsome into a slot corner and it hasn’t gone as planned.

After what many considered a strong rookie season for Newsome there have been growing pains with the position change. It begs the question if the experiment should even continue or if going forward, maybe not until next season, Newsome should return to the outside. Newsome lacks some of the explosion off the line to keep up with the shifty players that line up opposite him.

During his rookie season, Newsome allowed a passer rating of 85.6 when targeted compared to a rating of 107.3 this season when targeted. Newsome has made some plays it hasn’t all been bad but it is clear he doesn’t have the proper skill set to do it consistently. That said he has shown some improvements and with more time it could continue to get better.

There was a gamble in trying this move, to begin with, and knowing what he can do as an outside corner it makes sense to sign or draft a true nickel and return Newsome to his natural position.

It will be interesting to see what the Browns do going forward but it seems like they need to take Newsome out of the slot.